Why Malnutrition Awareness Matters and How We Can All Help

Every year in the UK, one week is dedicated to raising awareness about an often overlooked but critical health issue, malnutrition. UK Malnutrition Awareness Week is a campaign led by the Malnutrition Task Force (MTF) and the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) and highlights this preventable problem and aims

to improve understanding around it. It provides a crucial opportunity to engage with individuals, communities, and healthcare professionals to help reduce the incidence of malnutrition across the UK, especially in older adults.

Despite being preventable, malnutrition affects millions in the UK, with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) estimating that around 3 million people are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Many of these individuals are over 65, a demographic particularly vulnerable due to factors such as physical health issues, social isolation, and limited access to nutritious food. UK Malnutrition Awareness Week focuses on spreading knowledge, encouraging action, and, most importantly, ensuring that those at risk get the support they need.

The 2024 campaign runs from the 11th-17th November and centres around the theme of "Ask, Look & Listen," which breaks down into three actionable steps that anyone can use to identify and address malnutrition. Each step is simple but powerful and can make a tangible difference in preventing or mitigating malnutrition.
 

Why Malnutrition Awareness Week is Necessary

Malnutrition doesn’t only impact physical health—it can also exacerbate feelings of loneliness, impact mental health, and reduce independence. For older adults, it often leads to complications such as muscle weakness, which increases the risk of falls, delayed wound healing, and a compromised immune system, making infections more likely and harder to recover from.
For caregivers, families, and even community members, UK Malnutrition Awareness Week encourages us all to recognise the signs of malnutrition early and act accordingly. By creating a nationwide conversation, this week raises awareness and provides practical tools that empower each of us to support the elderly and vulnerable in our communities, helping them maintain health and dignity.
 

Understanding "Ask, Look & Listen"

This year’s campaign theme—"Ask, Look & Listen"—serves as a simple, three-step guide for identifying signs of malnutrition. Each step is vital for detecting malnutrition early, and together, they create an accessible approach for everyone, from healthcare professionals to family members, to engage in the fight against malnutrition.
 

Ask

The first step is to ask questions. When it comes to malnutrition, even the simplest questions can reveal a great deal. Asking someone about their daily meals, whether they enjoy eating, or if they’ve noticed any recent weight loss can open up conversations about their nutritional health. This step is particularly important because malnutrition isn’t always visible, and many people may not realise they’re at risk.

Caregivers, friends, and family members can ask questions in a gentle and non-intrusive way, building trust so the individual feels comfortable sharing information. Questions like, “Have you been eating regularly?” or “Do you find it easy to prepare meals?” can uncover underlying issues such as difficulty with shopping or cooking, loss of appetite, or even financial struggles impacting food choices. Sometimes, simply asking if someone has enough food at home can reveal important details about their nutritional needs and any barriers they may face.
 

Look

The second step is to look for physical and behavioural signs of malnutrition. Some of the tell-tale signs include sudden or significant weight loss, loose clothing, fatigue, or a general decline in physical or mental health. By observing these signs, we can often identify malnutrition in its early stages before it leads to more serious health issues.
In addition to physical signs, changes in behaviour can also be indicators. People experiencing malnutrition may withdraw socially or lose interest in daily activities they once enjoyed. If someone is noticeably tired, has frequent illnesses, or exhibits signs of depression, it’s worth considering whether malnutrition could be a contributing factor.
For healthcare professionals, looking also includes monitoring changes in weight or appetite over time, especially for those with chronic conditions. However, even as a friend or family member, paying attention to subtle changes can provide a basis for offering help and support.
 

Listen

The third and final step is to listen carefully to the individuals and any concerns they share. Listening goes beyond hearing words—it’s about showing empathy and understanding the individual’s situation, needs, and challenges. Sometimes, people may feel embarrassed to admit they’re struggling with food or nutrition, especially if they’ve been independent all their lives. By listening attentively and without judgement, we can provide emotional support, helping them feel more comfortable in discussing their challenges.

Listening can also help us identify emotional or mental health concerns that could be impacting their nutritional status. Loneliness, depression, or grief can all contribute to a loss of appetite, making it harder for individuals to maintain a balanced diet. In these cases, encouraging connection with others, offering practical support, or gently suggesting help from healthcare services can make a significant difference.
 

Making a Difference Together

Through the "Ask, Look & Listen" approach, UK Malnutrition Awareness Week 2024 empowers everyone to take small yet impactful actions against malnutrition. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a caregiver, a family member, or even a neighbour, these steps make it possible to detect malnutrition early and to provide the right support when it’s most needed.

Recognising malnutrition and taking preventive action requires awareness, empathy, and practical strategies. As the campaign reminds us, asking the right questions, noticing physical signs, and listening to individual needs can help us address malnutrition effectively.

The campaign also provides resources and training for those interested in learning more, including healthcare providers, carers, and community organisations, to ensure that the “Ask, Look & Listen” approach reaches as many people as possible. For more information visit the BAPEN & MTF websites.

UK Malnutrition Awareness Week | BAPEN

UK Malnutrition Awareness Week 2024 | Malnutrition Task Force